Dawn of the Lead

From Wikipedia:

HorrorClix is a collectible miniatures game by WizKids Inc., and was released August 30, 2006. The game’s tagline is “wicked fun.” The product was discontinued when WizKids owner Topps shut down the company.

The “Clix” series of games features pre-painted plastic miniatures. Each game piece comes with a special dial base – which makes the clicking sound from which the games take their name – containing the gaming stats of the piece. The painting standard on the models varies massively, with some sporting a good amount of detail and shading while others are crudely painted in block colours. The plastic used is softer than that in most plastic wargaming miniatures and I’ve heard of it being spoken of as vinyl, which just might be the case.

Every now and then discussion sparks up on miniature forums on the suitability of Horrorclix zombies for 28mm gaming. Arguments are varied: they’re too big, they’re horribly painted, they’re dirt cheap, they’re wonderful, they’re awful, they’re too soft, the clicky bases are a pain and so on. Reviews exist, but I haven’t been able to find anything detailed enough so decided to tackle the thing myself.

For this review I picked the eight Horrorclix zombies that I’ve bought. A few others exist, but from the pictures I found them rather unappealing and skipped ordering them. It has to be mentioned, that there are a few nice ones missing from this review, as they are somewhat rare and thus pricey. As mentioned above, all the models come on clicky bases, which most gamers will probably want to remove. This is easily done by sliding a sharp craft knife under the miniature’s foot and either slicing through or popping the foot free of the base by gently twisting the blade. The models are pre-painted, but I don’t really feel that it’s necessary to strip them of their paint. Just give them a new basecoat or paint over the existing paintjob, both should work. Or if you don’t fancy yourself much of a painter, the models can be used as-is, as they have been painted to a sufficient gaming standard.

Horrorclix minis are a bit larger than 28mm, being closer to 33mm in scale. This doesn’t really bother me, as once the models are based like the others in my collection you don’t really pay much attention to the small difference in scale. Size comparison pics later on in the review. I have based the Clix on standard 25mm round slottabases.

Model # 1 – Zombie Patient is an elderly male in a bloodied hospital gown. He’s missing his left hand altogether, while a large piece of skin is missing from his right arm, exposing muscles beneath. There’s also damage to his face, as he has also lost his lips and most of his nose, although the sculpting does give him a bit of a lampreyish look. The hand and feet are a bit thick and he doesn’t really have a wrist even on the remaining arm. He has a nice shuffling zombie walk going on, and the hospital look adds to his creepiness.

Model #2 – Undead Vendor is an awful miniature, and in a bad way. The concept is fun, a vendor like those you see in baseball and handegg games and the like, undead but still selling his wares. That’s where the fun ends, though. The anatomy appears off, with spindly legs and arms and malformed hands, the pose is something you’d see in a disco for the aesthetically challenged and the hand holding the bottle doesn’t look like it’s holding anything. Instead it’s like a bottle has been glued to an open hand. The vendor’s tray has a severed hand and forearm alongside the bottles, which might be considered humorous.

Model #3 – Zombie Strongman is a positively huge fellow, standing tall at roughly 40mm. In addition to a sweet moustache he has a pair of shorts on, and is bound with padlocked chains, through which coils of entrails pour out. Half of the strongman’s right calf is missing, exposing the bone, and he has various wounds about his body. He holds aloft the severed one-armed torso of some hapless victim, again trailing guts. I love this model. He oozes raw, brutal strength uncontained by any conventional intelligence. He towers over 28mm miniatures in a good sense and in keeping with the scale. Just imagine a huge pro wrestler turned into a zombie.

Model #4 – Zombie Lawyer might be considered the embodiment of poetic justice. He’s wearing a tattered brown suit and has a sharp piece of metal – a crossbow bolt? – sticking through his right thigh. Bones and muscles show through in several places, and the left ankle is completely twisted around. The model is in a nice, classic shuffling stance and all in all is a nice addition to your horde.

Models #1-4

Model #5 – Zombie Trooper is in my opinion the pick of the bunch, being a great sculpt of a good concept. While he lacks major visible damage, his emaciated features and classic pigeon-toed stance are a sure giveaway of his state. The trooper still carries his MP5 SMG, and wears body armour complete with a helmet and com-link set. The paintjob is better than average, too. I could use this model straight from the package, but I’ll paint him to match the SWAT survivors that I have.

Model #6 – Zombie Cop is another unfortunate public servant to fall to the undead menace. His clothes are torn, he’s missing half of his face exposing the skull, his right ankle has been chewed to the bone and coils of entrails pour out from his stomach. His sidearm is still securely in its holster, suggesting that he was attacked and taken completely by surprise. Again, a pigeon-toed classic stance and all in all a nice model.

Model #7 – Hardhat Zombie is a solid blue collar worker wearing what I suppose is something like a track jacket and a pair of jeans along with the eponymous yellow hardhat. His entire right arm is missing, as well as his left shoe. These combined with the pigeon-toes, vacant stare and tongue lolling out make him a prime example of a zombie. The sculpt is fine, and the model is an overall good effort.

Model #8 – Zombie Ventriloquist is a refreshingly twisted concept. I’ve always loved characterful and creepy special zombies, such as Romero’s zombie clowns and Dixieland band, Studio Miniatures’ zombie chicken mascot and so forth. It’s no surprise, then, that the zombie ventriloquist with his classic puppet and worn and torn suit is right up my alley. The model is almost bald and somewhat hunched, suggesting an elderly gentleman, and as a nice touch he has a wedding band on his left hand. While there is no major damage, the numerous holes, nicks and cuts in both his suit and his skin imply that he has been undead for quite a while. Buy this model, he’s excellent.

Models #5-8

And here are two size comparison shots. Unfortunately I forgot to put in a Mega Miniatures zombie, look here for comparison.

From left to right: Games Workshop, HorrorClix, Hasslefree, Copplestone Castings, HorrorClix

From left to right: Games Workshop, HorrorClix, Recreational Conflict, Studio Miniatures, HorrorClix

HorrorClix zombies can be bought from various sources, with many gaming stores selling single miniatures for a pittance. Most of mine cost well under a euro apiece from Miniature Market, which I found to be one of the best retailers available in terms of stock, price and shipping costs. Do a Google search for “HorrorClix singles” for plenty of dealer options.

Overall verdict: HorrorClix zombies are very nice miniatures for a cheap price. There are people who scoff at pre-painted plastic, but it’s entirely their loss when it comes to these, as any zombie miniature collector would do well to check these out. As the comparison pic shows, though, the HorrorClix zombies are a bit taller than your average 28mm heroics and giants compared to true 28mm, so scale purists will want to avoid these. The pre-painted part will be a burden or heaven-sent gift to some, depending on painting skill. Do note that the quality of the sculpts and the paintjobs varies immensely, with others like the trooper being mighty fine and others complete rubbish.